BMW R nineT by Urban Motor

The most audacious motorcycle launch of late has been the BMW R nineT. Who’d have thought that the clinical Germans would reveal a naked boxer with built-in options for customization? Even better, Ola Stenegärd’s design team have wasted no time in delivering pre-production models to selected custom builders. Here’s the first cab off the rank: ‘Track Grinder’ from Berlin-based Urban Motor.

Urban Motor’s Peter Dannenberg was one of three custom builders invited to test-ride the R nineT in Spain a few months ago, before the launch—and even before any journalists got to see the bike. “While sitting around the camp fire, we developed the idea that each builder should customize a nineT,” he explains. And here’s the first result: a nineT reduced to the bare essentials, with a splash of color on the simplified bodywork and a dash of flat track style.

With 110 stout German horses on tap, the engine has been left alone. But almost everything else has been modified. The modular look of the stock gas tank has been simplified to great effect, and it now flows into a custom alloy tail and seat unit with leather upholstery.

Behind the race number holder is a tiny ellipsoid 50mm headlight. The clutch and master cylinders are Brembo upgrades and there’s a smattering of high-end Motogadget parts throughout—including Motoscope Pro instrumentation (fully adapted to the BMW CAN-Bus system), m-Blaze Disc bar end turn signals, and an m-Lock digital key/transponder system.

Up front are classy Gilles Tooling clip-ons and a Domino throttle lever, and down below are Tarozzi pegs and a stubby SuperTrapp exhaust system. The blacked-out wheels are shod with dual-sport GT201 rubber from Golden Tyre, the Italian company best known for its motocross tires.

It’s a striking start to BMW Motorrad’s new custom program. We’ll be keeping an eye out for future R nineT customs from the other builders over the coming months, but in the meantime, head over to the BMW Motorrad website for all the details on the production R nineT. Or check out Urban Motor’s other builds here.